Stemmari Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane IGT 2012

Estate: The Stemmari estate is located in the province of Agrigento, in southwest Sicily, an area renowned for its well-preserved Greek temples. Stemmari is part of Gruppo Mezzacorona, an agricultural Cooperative Company. Founded in 1904, Gruppo Mezzacorona has over 1600 wine growing members that cultivate 2800 hectares of vineyards, primarily in Trentino, but now in other areas of Italy as well. Some of the group’s other brands are Rotari, Nota and Feudo Arancio. Stemmari is known for its proactive environmental initiatives, such as reclaiming damaged lands and replanting them with indigenous plants and trees. They conserve the local floral, and have been instrumental in reviving a rare species of orchid that is now a protected species on their land.

Philosophy: “Our aim is to sustain an example of wine making which is environmentally friendly and compatible with the surrounding area.”

Winemaking: Organic and sustainable methods are used in both the vineyards and cellar, “the winery and vineyards have been developed in a way to cause as little impact on the environment as possible”. By using solar photovoltaic panels, they are currently able to generate two-thirds of their electricity needs. The Nero d’Avola was aged for 6 months in French barriques.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet in colour with rich aromas of black cherry, toasted oak and white pepper. Silky tannins wrap around a fruity core of blackberry, strawberry and hints of black cherry. The fruit notes continue on with hints of earth on the dry finish. Easy drinking and straightforward, a versatile companion at the table.